THE health board covering the Vale of Glamorgan has become part of a global initiative helping develop, support and retain nurses and midwives.

The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has joined the Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) Academy.

The foundation was set up almost 90 years ago with the goal of maintaining Florence Nightingale’s legacy, and the academy launched in 2020.

Jason Roberts, the health board's executive nurse director, said: “I wholeheardly embrace the core principles of the Florence Nightingale Foundation in its relentless pursuit of excellence in healthcare and I'm very proud that we have joined the FNF Academy.

"The FNF Academy offers many rewarding opportunities, including access to tailored and flexible leadership programmes, innovative online learning opportunities and invaluable peer support. Our collaboration will empower our nurses and midwives to reach new heights and revolutionize patient care.

"Together we will cultivate a generation of compassionate, innovative and visionary leaders who will continue to shape the future of healthcare at Cardiff and Vale.”

Rebecca Aylward, deputy executive nurse director, added: “The Florence Nightingale Foundation is a wonderful charity that provides opportunities for nurses and midwives to develop their own professional and personal leadership.

“We are delighted to be Members of the FNF Academy and to be able to offer all of our nurses, midwives and student nurses the opportunity to access all of the academy’s fantastic benefits, which includes a wealth of learning resources such as webinars and online modules.

“I’m particularly excited about FNF Connect, an online portal that is exclusive to members and will allow any nurse, midwife or nursing student working at Cardiff and Vale UHB to connect with a mentor.”

A number of nurses and midwives in the health board have been awarded Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholarships, and all their colleagues can now access membership benefits, including the option to:

  • Develop leadership knowledge and skills through free online modules. New modules are added every three months and contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours;
  • Influence policy and practice on global health challenges;
  • Celebrate the profession and the legacy of Florence Nightingale at the annual Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey;
  • Connect with mentors via the FNF Connect online portal;
  • Promote the next generation of nurse and midwife leaders by annually nominating an aspiring leader to become an FNF Academy Fellow. Fellows will enjoy additional and exclusive specific networking and development opportunities;
  • Save though discounted access to Nightingale Frontline peer support service;
  • Collaborate with other nurse and midwife members globally;
  • Participate in global partnerships with organisations from different nations;
  • Network and learn at virtual and in-person events.

The foundation's director of engagement Rachel Morgan said: “We’re really excited to welcome Cardiff and Value University Health Board as a new member of the Florence Nightingale Foundation Academy.

“Membership provides an innovative space and we have already seen them embrace the opportunities and plan how best to make the most of the benefits. They join a growing number of organisations across Wales, indeed across the UK, and we’re sure that their active participation will enable nurses and midwives across their whole organisation to connect, lead, and influence healthcare.”